Homicide police probe fire death

Firefighters attend the scene of a fatal house fire in St Albans. Picture: Stuart Walmsley Source: Herald Sun

THE manslaughter squad has been called in to investigate the death of a young university student in a house fire in Melbourne's northwest.

Emergency services were called to the St Albans house after a suspected gas explosion at 4am.

They found the body of Khaled Dalla, 21, who was believed to be living at the Grantham Parade property with two other men.

Homicide Squad Det Sgt Rob Nazaretian said the cause of the fire was under investigation but would not say why police believed it to be suspicious.

"At this stage there are some concerning aspects to the scene ... I'm not prepared to discuss those just yet," he said.

Det Sgt Nazaretian could not say if the victim died as a result of the fire or some other cause.

"It's the early stages of the investigation and we're not prepared to talk about something that might prejudice the investigation later," he said.

A man who left the house before the fire is being interviewed by police at Sunshine police station.

Although the victim is not thought to have had a criminal record, Det Sgt Nazaretian could not say if the other men were known to police.

Police hope to talk to a man at Sunshine Hospital later today.

A man died at the home in Grantham Parade, St Albans. Picture: Stuart Walmsley

Mr Dalla was reportedly sleeping in the loungeroom when the fire, believed to be started by a gas explosion in the kitchen, spread throughout the house.

The student, who arrived in Australia from Lebanon two years ago, lived in the house with two roommates, one who suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation and was taken to Sunshine Hospital.

Neighbour Mo Elsayed, a cousin of the two housemates, said he was woken by one who had escaped through the back entrance to get help.

Neighbours look on following the early morning tragedy in Grantham Parade, St Albans. Picture: Stuart Walmsley

"One of my cousins ran to my house and when I went outside the fire was coming out the windows," Mr Elsayed said.

"It was a very intense fire. We got to the house and dragged him out after he had collapsed on the floor ... he was very heavy and passed away."

Mr Elsayed said Mr Dalla, who also worked as a tiler, had no family in Australia and that he was trying to make a better life for himself.

"He was a hard working, gentle giant," Mr Elsayed said.

"He sent his family back in Lebanon money every month.

"He was living life in Australia.

"We rang the family in Lebanon this morning. It was a bit hard to tell them. I passed the phone onto someone else. I feel sorry mainly for his mum."

Another neighbour is believed to have turned off the gas and tried put the fire out with a garden hose, but it was too fierce.

"They told me that he got up from his bed and the three of them tried to escape from the back, but they lost him through the smoke and he collapsed," Mr Elsayed said.

An MFB spokesperson said 25 firefighters were called to the fire, which took 40 minutes to control.

Information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au

Read More @ Source

Criminal Stories Here